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Tanabata (Star Festival)
The Star Festival — celebrating the annual meeting of two celestial lovers across the Milky Way.
📅 July 7
✦ Why It Matters
Tanabata celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair), separated by the Milky Way and allowed to meet once a year. Brought to Japan from China and merged with Japanese weaving traditions.
✦ How It Is Observed
Writing wishes and poems on tanzaku paper strips and hanging them on bamboo, bamboo decorations in cities, making origami decorations, festivals with parades and music. Sendai holds Japan's largest Tanabata festival in August.